removing valve keepers from an inline 6 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cell · 01-11-2006, 09:33 PM

Hey guys,

I am knee deep in tearing apart my engine and have hit a stumbling block.

My Hayne's manual says to use a valve spring compressing tool to compress the spring until you can take the keepers out. Well, I can compress that spring all I want, but the keepers don't go anywhere, and I can't grab at them with pliers or anything.

How do you get these things out?

Thanks,
Jason Pepas

junkyardjohn · 01-11-2006, 09:46 PM

Hi Jason --- Usually A Valve Spring Compressor Works,.sometimes There Is A Big Shellac Buildup That Holds The Keepers In Place. Try This... Take An Old Socket Or Something Simalar With About A 1/2" Hole In It .. Hold It On Top Of The Valve Spring Retainer & Wack It Real Good With A Bfh. This Usually Gets Em To Come Flying Off. John

jimfulco · 01-11-2006, 11:51 PM

A small, strong magnet might be helpful.

carl609 · 01-12-2006, 03:45 AM

the hammer and socket method is a great one for taking them apart. just don't try and hit a home run, and keep an eye on the keepers in case they jump out, you dont want them to get away from you.

cell · 01-12-2006, 10:36 AM

thanks guys, I'll try the hammer method, and I have an old hard drive magnet lying around which is mucho strongo. I'll report back tonight.

cell · 01-14-2006, 04:23 AM

Ok, finally got those little bastards out. Here's what I had to do.

tried the magnet approach. no go.
tried the compressed air approach. no go.

what work was removing the head, using a clamp to hold the valve shut, then using the socket + hammer + love tap to get the valve keepers loose. Then keep the clamp on and use the spring compressing tool so I can get at the keepers.

One thing I noticed was that there was a very small ring of metal fitted into the bottom slot near the head of the valve. These prevented the valve from sliding all the way out of the bottom of the head, and the only way I could get them off was giving the valve a few more taps with a hammer, which promptly shattered these little rings (they are very brittle metal).

Tx Firefighter · 01-14-2006, 08:17 AM

Those were your valve stem seals that you had to shatter. They're little o-rings.

cell · 01-14-2006, 02:34 PM

Yup, that must be it. The valves look ok, and I assume the valve seals are something I would be replacing anyway, so I guess its no big loss.

thanks for the info guys!

01-11-2006, 09:33 PM	#1
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	removing valve keepers from an inline 6 Hey guys, I am knee deep in tearing apart my engine and have hit a stumbling block. My Hayne's manual says to use a valve spring compressing tool to compress the spring until you can take the keepers out. Well, I can compress that spring all I want, but the keepers don't go anywhere, and I can't grab at them with pliers or anything. How do you get these things out? Thanks, Jason Pepas

01-11-2006, 09:46 PM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 Hi Jason --- Usually A Valve Spring Compressor Works,.sometimes There Is A Big Shellac Buildup That Holds The Keepers In Place. Try This... Take An Old Socket Or Something Simalar With About A 1/2" Hole In It .. Hold It On Top Of The Valve Spring Retainer & Wack It Real Good With A Bfh. This Usually Gets Em To Come Flying Off. John __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST Last edited by junkyardjohn; 01-11-2006 at 09:47 PM.

01-11-2006, 11:51 PM	#3
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 A small, strong magnet might be helpful.

01-12-2006, 03:45 AM	#4
carl609 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 63	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 the hammer and socket method is a great one for taking them apart. just don't try and hit a home run, and keep an eye on the keepers in case they jump out, you dont want them to get away from you.

01-12-2006, 10:36 AM	#5
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 thanks guys, I'll try the hammer method, and I have an old hard drive magnet lying around which is mucho strongo. I'll report back tonight.

01-14-2006, 04:23 AM	#6
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 Ok, finally got those little bastards out. Here's what I had to do. tried the magnet approach. no go. tried the compressed air approach. no go. what work was removing the head, using a clamp to hold the valve shut, then using the socket + hammer + love tap to get the valve keepers loose. Then keep the clamp on and use the spring compressing tool so I can get at the keepers. One thing I noticed was that there was a very small ring of metal fitted into the bottom slot near the head of the valve. These prevented the valve from sliding all the way out of the bottom of the head, and the only way I could get them off was giving the valve a few more taps with a hammer, which promptly shattered these little rings (they are very brittle metal).

01-14-2006, 08:17 AM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 Those were your valve stem seals that you had to shatter. They're little o-rings. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-14-2006, 02:34 PM	#8
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	Re: removing valve keepers from an inline 6 Yup, that must be it. The valves look ok, and I assume the valve seals are something I would be replacing anyway, so I guess its no big loss. thanks for the info guys!

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